next story

7 Actresses Who Should Play Hillary Rodham Clinton (Just Look at Them Next to Her Vintage Photos!)

You know how everyone gets annoyed at the way political strategists start talking about 2016 when it's 2013? Well, I hope it's not quite as annoying when bloggers incessantly talk about movies that won't be out forever—'cause that's where I'm at with the news that Rodham, a movie depicting Hillary Rodham Clinton during her law-school years, is going forward.

Scarlett Johansson is rumored to be the front-runner for the title role. I'll be honest: I'm not sure I see it. I guess that's because whenever I watch her in a movie, all I see is ScarlettScarlettScarlettScarlett. Then again, every great actress seems to have that defining career moment of a role they disappear into, and this could be hers. Reese Witherspoon and Jessica Chastain are also being batted around—but I think we've already seen Reese's law-school movie and Jessica's national-contribution one. More so, I'm picturing...

Natalie Portman. This isn't an earth-shattering example—most meaty roles probably pass across her desk—but Natalie's sense of gravitas makes her a perfect fit. Plus, she went to Harvard, Hillary went to Wellesley and Yale—the pedigree is there.

I feel like Kelly MacDonald has a steely, driven quality that could take young Rodham to the next level. Plus, there's something kismet about Merida and Hill being connected.

Maybe it's just because her Met Gala hair choices were very modern-day Clinton (who's truly punk, if not Hillary?), but Anne Hathaway is coming to mind for me here. She oozes the ambition, confidence, and wit I associate with the former Secretary of State.

I'd love to see Rachel McAdams turn up her edgy side a little, channeling Clinton—like Morning Glory + State of Play x 1000.

This might be a little out of the box, but I feel sure that Alison Brie could kill this role. Her Community studiousness + her classy Mad Men grit + a yet-unmatched chance to plumb the depths of her dramatic skills = excellence. And I think if she can handle Pete Campbell, she can handle Bill.

Perhaps still more out of the box, and yet so right: I can see a long-haired Chloe Sevigny infusing the role with tons of intelligence and intimidation.

But whom would I choose if I could just pick one girl's name to throw into the casting hat? Hands down, Andrea Riseborough. She's got the look, the smarts, and the precise level of stardom that's right for this part—about to really explode but in need of that perfect part to ignite the flame.